Indonesian govt focuses on five halal tourism destinations

The ministry decided to accelerate the developmental programs of halal tourism because of the potential market of the industry, Chairman of the Acceleration Team of Halal Tourism Development Riyanto Sofyan, said here, on Friday.

Indonesia has at least 10 halal tourism destinations, but the government is currently focusing on these five, he added.

The 10 destinations are Lombok, West Sumatra, Aceh, Jakarta, West Java, South Sulawesi, East Java, Yogyakarta, Central Javah and Batam, according to Sofyan, who was invited to speak on Halal in Travel during the 2016 Asia International Tourism Bourse held in Singapore from October 19 to 21.

The ministry hopes to attract tourists from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, China, Russia, Germany, France and the UK, which also have Muslim population.

Since 2014, the number of foreign Muslim tourists visiting Indonesia has reached 15 percent of the total foreign tourists, an increase from 8 to 10 percent in the past.

He was optimistic that Indonesia would be able to enjoy greater benefits of the halal tourism market, particularly after the government set up the special team.

The Asia International Tourism Bourse is an appropriate forum for the promotion of Indonesias halal tourism destinations, he added.(*)